"Taste of the World," an annual food festival featuring delicacies from 18 nations and territories, is held until Jan. 1, 2012, at the September 23 Park in Ho Chi Minh City.

In addition to showcasing Vietnam's rich food culture with food and beverages, the festival will house 89 pavilions representing such countries and territories as South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Russia and the Philippines.

Eleven chefs of five-star hotels in Vietnam will gather in a "rare opportunity" for the Five-star Hotel Chefs Festival, an activity within the food festival, according to Bui Thi Suong, vice chairman of the Saigon Association of Profession Cooks.

Bartending skill, fruit carving, and fruit and vegetable salad making contests also will entertain attendees.